For more than 12 years, the Earth Hour initiative, which started in Sydney, continues to be the world's largest mass movement with a focus on nature. Today it inspires people, communities, even entrepreneurs and organizations in dozens of countries. The goal is for everyone to show their attitude to the problems of climate change in a visible way by symbolic switching off of the lights for an hour on March 30. The campaign, which in Bulgaria is organized by WWF, is a call to each of us to think about the way we are using natural resources and about the future generations:

“This year the initiative is expected to include 188 countries,” Konstantin Hristov from WWF says. “Millions of people will come together to focus public attention on ever-rising environmental issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss. Traditionally, each year at the end of March, people symbolically turn off the lights in their homes between 20.30 and 21.30 hours and landmark buildings darken their facades in solidarity to encourage all to contribute to a more sustainable future. In this way, we show the influence of small actions on the vast planet.”

In Sofia, Earth Hour starts at 10a.m. in front of the "Ivan Vazov" National Theater, where a farm market will be opened, showing how preservation of nature could inspire production of clean and environmentally friendly products. Thematic workshops are also organized and people can try making jam, crackers or wax toys. The idea is for people to try the gifts of nature and participate in the process of turning a raw material into nutritious food, Konstantin Hristov says and adds:

“It is especially valuable to make a connection with nature and understand why we need to protect it. On Battenberg Square mobile collection points for textiles and old equipment will be opened and people who have old clothes or equipment they are not going to use any more can bring it for recycling.”

Throughout the day the Organization of Bulgarian Scouts will be participating with various initiatives devoted to preservation of nature. At 20:30 in front of the "Ivan Vazov" National Theater, when switching lights off starts, WWF invites Sofia residents and guests to an acoustic concert and a traditional fire show. A night hike to Vitosha will also be organized for the keen mountaineers:

“This is the icing on the cake. For lovers of natural beauty WWF and the Bulgarian Extreme and Freestyle Ski Association (BEFSA) organize a night hike to Cherni Vrah with headlamps. The hike takes place for the third consecutive year and interest in it keeps on rising. The starting point is in front of the Aleko hut at 19:30, as the route will be specially selected according to the weather conditions. The return is at 21:30. Participants must be well-equipped, carry headlamps and do not forget their good mood. BEFSA chairman Momchil Panayotov will be with us and he would also be part of the team taking care of the safety of the hike.”

Members of WWF Bulgaria will also be part of the hike and will be providing further interesting details both about the initiative itself and about its ambitious nature conservation activities in Bulgarian forests. The aim of the campaign is to show the strong connection between nature and people and to focus attention to preservation of its resources.

English: Alexander Markov